Gang angle adjustment for a work machine and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An agricultural implement includes a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where the first frame section is disposed between the second and third frame sections. A pair of elongated gang assemblies are on the first frame section, an elongated gang assembly is on the second frame section, and an elongated gang assembly is on the third frame section. Each of the gang assemblies is horizontally adjustable relative to the frame. An actuator for each gang assembly operably controls the angular adjustment of the gang assemblies, and a fluid source supplies fluid to the actuators. The actuator on the second frame section is a master actuator for one of the actuators on the first frame section, and the actuator on the third frame section is a master actuator for the other actuator on the first frame section.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/764,738, filed Aug. 15, 2018, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to controlling tillage equipment, and inparticular to a hydraulic control system for controlling gang angle ofan implement of a work machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the agricultural industry, wide implements such as field cultivatorsand the like include a main frame and adjacent outrigger or wing framesthat are hinged or pivotally coupled thereto. The main frame andadjacent wing frames may include gangs of different shaped coulters ordiscs for cutting through a ground surface.

It is desirable to be able to adjust the gang angle of the differentgangs from an operator's seat of a towing vehicle such as a tractor.This type of control may be achieved by hydraulic, electric or otherforms of control. It is, however, difficult to achieve accurate controlof the gang angle between opposite sides of the work machine. Thus,there is a need for an improved control system for controlling gangangle of an implement on a work machine.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an agricultural implementincludes a transversely extending frame forming at least a first framesection, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where thefirst frame section is disposed between the second and third framesections; a pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies onthe first frame section, an elongated gang assembly on the second framesection, and an elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, eachof the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatable tillage toolsmounted in such a manner that their axes of rotation extendsubstantially transverse to a path of travel of the frame; each of thegang assemblies being horizontally adjustable relative to the frame foradjusting the angles between the path of travel of the frame and theaxes of rotation of the tools; a hydraulic actuator for each gangassembly for operably controlling the angular adjustment of the gangassemblies; and a fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to thehydraulic actuators; wherein, the hydraulic actuator on the second framesection comprises a master hydraulic actuator for one of the hydraulicactuators on the first frame section, and the hydraulic actuator on thethird frame section comprises a master hydraulic actuator for the otherhydraulic actuator on the first frame section.

In one example of this embodiment, the fluid source is fluidly coupledin series with each of the hydraulic actuators. In a second example,each hydraulic actuator comprises a cylinder and piston rod that extendsand retracts within a bore of the cylinder; each cylinder comprises anequal bore size. In a third example, a gang linkage is operablyinterconnected between the pair of gang assemblies on the first framesection for synchronizing the pair of gang assemblies during theirangular adjustment.

In a fourth example of this disclosure, the implement may include areservoir of hydraulic fluid disposed in fluid communication with thefluid source; and a fluid path defined between the fluid source and thereservoir; wherein, hydraulic fluid flows through the flow path suchthat the hydraulic fluid is directly supplied to a hydraulic actuator onthe second frame section and a hydraulic actuator on the third framesection, and hydraulic fluid flows to the reservoir via a return linedirectly fluidly coupled to another hydraulic actuator on the secondframe section and another hydraulic actuator on the third frame section.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalimplement includes a transversely extending frame forming at least afirst frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section,where the first frame section is disposed between the second and thirdframe sections; a front pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gangassemblies on the first frame section, a rear pair of elongated,generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a frontelongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a rear elongatedgang assembly on the second frame section, a front elongated gangassembly on the third frame section, and a rear elongated gang assemblyon the third frame section, each of the gang assemblies including aplurality of rotatable tillage tools mounted in such a manner that theiraxes of rotation extend substantially transverse to a path of travel ofthe frame; each of the gang assemblies being horizontally adjustablerelative to the frame for adjusting the angles between the path oftravel of the frame and the axes of rotation of the tools; a hydraulicactuator for each gang assembly for operably controlling the angularadjustment of the gang assemblies; and a fluid source for supplyinghydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators; wherein, one of thehydraulic actuators on the second frame section comprises a masterhydraulic actuator for two of the four hydraulic actuators on the firstframe section, and one of the hydraulic actuators on the third framesection comprises a master hydraulic actuator for the other twohydraulic actuators on the first frame section.

In a first example of this embodiment, the fluid source is fluidlycoupled in series with each of the hydraulic actuators. In a secondexample, each hydraulic actuator comprises a cylinder and piston rodthat extends and retracts within a bore of the cylinder; each cylindercomprises an equal bore size. In a third example, the implement includesa gang linkage operably interconnected between the rear pair of gangassemblies on the first frame section for synchronizing the rear pair ofgang assemblies during their angular adjustment.

In a fourth example of this embodiment, the implement may include areservoir of hydraulic fluid; and a return line fluidly coupled to theother hydraulic actuators on the second and third frame sections,wherein hydraulic fluid returns to the reservoir via the return line. Ina fifth example, each of the hydraulic actuators for controlling thefront gang assemblies on the frame move in an opposite direction forangular adjustment than each of the hydraulic actuators for controllingthe rear gang assemblies. In a sixth example, a hydraulic control systemincludes the fluid source, a fluid reservoir, the hydraulic actuator foreach gang assembly, and a plurality of fluid lines fluidly coupling thefluid source to each hydraulic actuator in series.

In another example of the present disclosure, the hydraulic actuatorincludes a first hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof the rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section; asecond hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of thefront elongated gang assembly on the second frame section; a thirdhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the rearelongated gang assembly on the third frame section; a fourth hydraulicactuator for controlling angular adjustment of the front elongated gangassembly on the third frame section; a fifth hydraulic actuator forcontrolling angular adjustment of a first front gang assembly of thepair of front elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section; asixth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a secondfront gang assembly of the pair of front elongated gang assemblies onthe first frame section; a seventh hydraulic actuator for controllingangular adjustment of a first rear gang assembly of the pair of rearelongated gang assemblies on the first frame section; and an eighthhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a second reargang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the firstframe section; wherein, the first hydraulic actuator is the masterhydraulic actuator of the fifth hydraulic actuator, and the thirdhydraulic actuator is the master hydraulic actuator of the sixthhydraulic actuator.

In a further example of this disclosure, the fifth hydraulic actuator isa master hydraulic actuator of the seventh actuator, and the seventhhydraulic actuator is a master hydraulic actuator of the secondhydraulic actuator; the sixth hydraulic actuator is a master hydraulicactuator of the eighth hydraulic actuator, and the eighth hydraulicactuator is a master hydraulic actuator of the fourth hydraulicactuator. In yet a further example of this disclosure, each hydraulicactuator includes a base end and a rod end. A first hydraulic fluid pathis defined between the rod end of the first hydraulic actuator and therod end of the fifth hydraulic actuator, a second hydraulic fluid pathis defined between the rod end of the third hydraulic actuator and therod end of the sixth hydraulic actuator, a third hydraulic fluid path isdefined between the base end of the fifth hydraulic actuator and thebase end of the seventh hydraulic actuator, and a fourth hydraulic fluidpath is defined between the base end of the sixth hydraulic actuator andthe base end of the eighth hydraulic actuator.

In another example of this disclosure, each hydraulic actuator iscontrollably movable between an extended position and a retractedposition, and as each of the hydraulic actuators for controlling thefront gang assemblies on the frame is disposed in either the extended orretracted position, each of the hydraulic actuators for controlling therear gang assemblies is disposed in the other position.

In yet another example of this disclosure, the gang angle is increasedwhen each of the hydraulic actuators for controlling the front gangassemblies on the frame is disposed in the extended position and each ofthe hydraulic actuators for controlling the rear gang assemblies isdisposed in the retracted position; and the gang angle is decreased wheneach of the hydraulic actuators for controlling the front gangassemblies on the frame is disposed in the retracted position and eachof the hydraulic actuators for controlling the rear gang assemblies isdisposed in the extended position.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalimplement includes a transversely extending frame forming at least afirst frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section,where the first frame section is disposed between the second and thirdframe sections; a front pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gangassemblies on the first frame section, a rear pair of elongated,generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a frontelongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a rear elongatedgang assembly on the second frame section, a front elongated gangassembly on the third frame section, and a rear elongated gang assemblyon the third frame section, each of the gang assemblies including aplurality of rotatable tillage tools mounted in such a manner that theiraxes of rotation extend substantially transverse to a path of travel ofthe frame; each of the gang assemblies being horizontally adjustablerelative to the frame for adjusting the angles between the path oftravel of the frame and the axes of rotation of the tools; a firsthydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the rearelongated gang assembly on the second frame section; a second hydraulicactuator for controlling angular adjustment of the front elongated gangassembly on the second frame section; a third hydraulic actuator forcontrolling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gang assembly onthe third frame section; a fourth hydraulic actuator for controllingangular adjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the thirdframe section; a fifth hydraulic actuator for controlling angularadjustment of a first front gang assembly of the pair of front elongatedgang assemblies on the first frame section; a sixth hydraulic actuatorfor controlling angular adjustment of a second front gang assembly ofthe pair of front elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section;a seventh hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of afirst rear gang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblieson the first frame section; and an eighth hydraulic actuator forcontrolling angular adjustment of a second rear gang assembly of thepair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section; and afluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators;wherein, the first hydraulic actuator is the master hydraulic actuatorof the fifth hydraulic actuator, and the third hydraulic actuator is themaster hydraulic actuator of the sixth hydraulic actuator.

In one example of this embodiment, each of the first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth hydraulic actuators comprisethe same bore size. In another example, each hydraulic actuator iscontrollably movable between an extended position and a retractedposition, and as the second, fourth, fifth and sixth hydraulic actuatorsare disposed in either the extended or retracted position, the first,third, seventh and eighth hydraulic actuators are disposed in the otherposition; the gang angle is increased when the second, fourth, fifth andsixth hydraulic actuators are disposed in their extended position andfirst, third, seventh and eighth hydraulic actuators are disposed intheir retracted position; and the gang angle is decreased when thesecond, fourth, fifth and sixth hydraulic actuators are disposed intheir retracted position and the first, third, seventh and eighthhydraulic actuators are disposed in their extended position.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an agricultural implementincludes a transversely extending frame forming at least a first framesection, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where thefirst frame section is disposed between the second and third framesections; a pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies onthe first frame section, an elongated gang assembly on the second framesection, and an elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, eachof the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatable tillage toolsmounted in such a manner that their axes of rotation extendsubstantially transverse to a path of travel of the respective frame;each of the gang assemblies being horizontally adjustable relative totheir respective frame for adjusting the angles between the path oftravel of the frame and the axes of rotation of the tools; an actuatorfor each gang assembly for operably controlling the angular adjustmentof the gang assemblies; and a controller disposed in electricalcommunication with the actuators; wherein, the actuator on the secondframe section comprises a master actuator for one of the actuators onthe first frame section, and the actuator on the third frame sectioncomprises a master actuator for the other actuator on the first framesection.

In one example of this embodiment, each of the actuators may becontrolled independently of the other actuators. In a second example,each actuator comprises a linear electric actuator. In a third example,an electric power source electrically coupled to each actuator forsupplying electrical power thereto. In a fourth example, an alternatoris disposed in electrical communication with the electric power source.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalimplement includes a transversely extending frame forming at least afirst frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section,where the first frame section is disposed between the second and thirdframe sections; a plurality of elongated, generally end-to-end gangassemblies on the first frame section, the second frame section, and thethird frame section, each of the gang assemblies including a pluralityof rotatable tillage tools mounted in such a manner that their axes ofrotation extend substantially transverse to a travel direction of theimplement; a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled to the first,second and third frame sections, where each hydraulic actuator isconfigured to operably control the angular adjustment of one of theplurality of gang assemblies relative to the respective frame section; afluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the plurality of hydraulicactuators; a controller; a first master control valve and a secondmaster control valve, the first and second master control valves beingfluidly coupled to the fluid source and the plurality of actuators; anda plurality of sensors coupled to the first, second and third framesections, the plurality of sensors disposed in electrical communicationwith the controller.

In one example of this embodiment, a hydraulic actuator on the secondframe section comprises a master hydraulic actuator for one of thehydraulic actuators on the first frame section, and a hydraulic actuatoron the third frame section comprises a master hydraulic actuator for adifferent hydraulic actuator on the first frame section. In a secondexample, the hydraulic actuator on the second frame section is fluidlycoupled to the fluid source when the first master control valve isdisposed in an open position; the hydraulic actuator on the third framesection is fluidly coupled to the fluid source when the second mastercontrol valve is disposed in an open position. In a third example, thefirst master control valve is operably controlled by the controllerindependently of the second master control valve.

In a fourth example of this embodiment, a first sensor of the pluralityof sensors is coupled to a first actuator on the first frame section; asecond sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a secondactuator on the first frame section; a third sensor of the plurality ofsensors is coupled to an actuator on the second frame section; and afourth sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled an actuator on thethird frame section. In a fifth example, the fluid source, the firstmaster control valve, a first actuator on the first frame section, andan actuator on the second frame section are fluidly coupled in series toform a first hydraulic circuit; the fluid source, the second mastercontrol valve, a second actuator on the first frame section, and anactuator on the third frame section are fluidly coupled in series toform a second hydraulic circuit; further wherein, the first hydrauliccircuit and the second hydraulic circuit are hydraulically parallel toone another.

In a sixth example, the plurality of gang assemblies comprises a firstgang assembly and a second gang assembly coupled to the first framesection; the plurality of sensors are configured to detect a position ofthe first, second, and third frame sections and communicate a positionsignal to the controller based on the position of each frame section;further wherein, the first master control valve or the second mastercontrol valve is operably controlled to its open position by thecontroller until the first gang assembly and the second gang assemblyare angularly adjusted to have approximately the same gang anglerelative to the travel direction of the implement. In a seventh example,each actuator comprises a cylinder and a rod, the rod moving between aretracted position and an extended position within the cylinder; each ofthe plurality of sensors being coupled to the rod of a corresponding oneof the plurality of actuators.

In another example, the implement may include a first correction valvefluidly coupled between the fluid source and a first actuator on thefirst frame section, the first actuator being fluidly coupled in serieswith an actuator on the second frame section; and a second correctionvalve fluidly coupled between the fluid source and a second actuator onthe second frame section, the second actuator being fluidly coupled inseries with an actuator on the third frame section; wherein, thecontroller is in electrical communication with the first and secondcorrection valves. In yet another example, the controller operablyactuates the first correction valve to an open position to exhausthydraulic fluid flowing between the first actuator and the actuator onthe second frame section; the controller operably actuates the secondcorrection valve to an open position to exhaust hydraulic fluid flowingbetween the second actuator and the actuator on the third frame section.

In a further example of this embodiment, the plurality of gangassemblies comprises a front pair of elongated, generally end-to-endgang assemblies on the first frame section, a rear pair of elongated,generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a frontelongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a rear elongatedgang assembly on the second frame section, a front elongated gangassembly on the third frame section, and a rear elongated gang assemblyon the third frame section; the plurality of actuators comprises a firstactuator for controlling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gangassembly on the second frame section, a second actuator for controllingangular adjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the secondframe section, a third actuator for controlling angular adjustment ofthe rear elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, a fourthactuator for controlling angular adjustment of the front elongated gangassembly on the third frame section, a fifth actuator for controllingangular adjustment of a first front gang assembly of the pair of frontelongated gang assemblies on the first frame section, a sixth actuatorfor controlling angular adjustment of a second front gang assembly ofthe pair of front elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section,a seventh actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a first reargang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the firstframe section, and an eighth actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof a second rear gang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gangassemblies on the first frame section; further wherein, the plurality ofsensors are coupled to the second actuator, the fourth actuator, thefifth actuator, and the sixth actuator.

In yet a further example, the first master control valve is fluidlycoupled between the fluid source and the second actuator; and the secondmaster control valve is fluidly coupled between the fluid source and thefourth actuator.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalimplement includes a transversely extending frame forming at least afirst frame section, a second frame section, a third frame section, afourth frame section, and a fifth frame section, where the first framesection is disposed between the second and third frame sections, thesecond frame section is disposed between the first and fourth framesections, and the third frame section is disposed between the first andfifth frame sections; a plurality of elongated, generally end-to-endgang assemblies on the first frame section, the second frame section,the third frame section, the fourth frame section, and the fifth framesection, each of the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatabletillage tools mounted in such a manner that their axes of rotationextend substantially transverse to a travel direction of the implement;a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled to the first, second, third,fourth, and fifth frame sections for operably controlling the angularadjustment of the plurality of gang assemblies; a fluid source forsupplying hydraulic fluid to the plurality of hydraulic actuators; acontroller; a first master control valve and a second master controlvalve, the first and second master control valves being fluidly coupledto the fluid source and the plurality of actuators; and a plurality ofsensors coupled to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth framesections, the plurality of sensors disposed in electrical communicationwith the controller.

In one example of this embodiment, the plurality of hydraulic actuatorscomprises a first hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof the rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, asecond hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of thefront elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a thirdhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the rearelongated gang assembly on the third frame section, a fourth hydraulicactuator for controlling angular adjustment of the front elongated gangassembly on the third frame section, a fifth hydraulic actuator forcontrolling angular adjustment of a first front gang assembly of thepair of front elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section, asixth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a secondfront gang assembly of the pair of front elongated gang assemblies onthe first frame section, a seventh hydraulic actuator for controllingangular adjustment of a first rear gang assembly of the pair of rearelongated gang assemblies on the first frame section, an eighthhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a second reargang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the firstframe section, a ninth hydraulic actuator for controlling angularadjustment of the rear elongated gang assembly on the fourth framesection, a tenth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof the front elongated gang assembly on the fourth frame section, aneleventh hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of therear elongated gang assembly on the fifth frame section, a twelfthhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the frontelongated gang assembly on the fifth frame section; the first mastercontrol valve being fluidly coupled between the fluid source and thetenth hydraulic actuator, and the second master control valve beingfluidly coupled between the fluid source and the twelfth hydraulicactuator.

In another example, the plurality of sensors comprises a first sensorcoupled to the tenth hydraulic actuator, a second sensor coupled to thetwelfth hydraulic actuator, a third sensor coupled to the seventhhydraulic actuator, and a fourth sensor coupled to the eighth hydraulicactuator; the plurality of sensors are configured to detect a positionof the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth frame sections andcommunicate a position signal to the controller based on the position ofeach frame section; further wherein, the first master control valve orthe second master control valve is operably controlled to its openposition by the controller until the first rear gang assembly and thesecond rear gang assembly of the first frame section are angularlyadjusted to have approximately the same gang angle relative to thetravel direction of the implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner ofobtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevated view of a multi-section agricultural implement;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a portion of a rear gang assembly in a firstposition;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the portion of the rear gang assembly of FIG. 2in a second position;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a hydraulic control system of the work machineand agricultural implement of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the hydraulic control system of FIG. 4 accordingto a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of another hydraulic control system of anagricultural implement having at least five frame sections;

FIG. 7 is a view of a multi-section agricultural implement;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a hydraulic control system of a work machine andagricultural implement;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a control circuit for controlling the hydrauliccontrol system of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a control circuit for controlling a hydrauliccontrol system of a work machine and agricultural implement;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of a control system for electrically controllingactuators of an agricultural implement; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic of another control system for electricallycontrolling actuators of an agricultural implement.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the preciseforms in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments arechosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciateand understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an agricultural implement 100 such as a fieldcultivator is shown. The implement 100 is designed to couple to a workmachine (not shown) and perform a work function. For example, theimplement may include work tools that penetrate into soil for aeratingthe soil before planting or uprooting weeds after planting. Theimplement 100 may be attached to a work machine or tractor (not shown)by a hitch assembly 108 such as a three-point hitch or a drawbarattachment. The hitch assembly 108 includes a hitch frame member 110that extends longitudinally in a direction of travel for coupling to thework machine or tractor.

The agricultural implement 100 may include a transversely-extendingframe that forms multiple frame sections. In FIG. 1, for example, theimplement 100 includes a main or center frame 102. The main frame 102 iscoupled to the hitch assembly 108 as shown. A first frame section 104 orfirst wing frame is disposed to one side of the main frame 102, and asecond frame section or 106 or second wing frame is disposed to anopposite side thereof. Although not shown, a third frame section may bedisposed to an outside of the first inner frame 104, and a fourth framesection may be disposed to an outside of the second inner frame 106.

Each frame section may be pivotable coupled to the frame sectionadjacent thereto. The first frame second 104, for example, may bepivotable coupled to the main frame 102 at a forward location via afirst hinge 140 and at a rear location via a second hinge 142.Similarly, the second frame section 106 may be pivotally coupled to themain frame 102 at a forward location via a third hinge 144 and at a rearlocation via a fourth hinge 146. The different hinges may allow for thedifferent frame sections to be raised to a folded, transportconfiguration.

The implement 100 may be supported by a plurality of wheels. Forexample, a pair of front wheels 112 are coupled to the frame at a frontend thereof. The main frame 102 may be further supported by a first pairof wheels 114 and a second pair of wheels 116. The first inner frame 104may be supported by a third pair of wheels 118 and the second innerframe 106 may be supported by a fourth pair of wheels 120. While eachsection is shown being supported by a different pair of wheels, this isonly shown in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, theremay be only a single wheel supporting each frame section. In a differentembodiment, there may be more than a pair of wheels supporting eachframe section. Moreover, the implement 100 may include more than thefront wheels 112. For instance, there may be back wheels disposed nearthe rear of the implement for additional support.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each frame section 102, 104, 106 is capableof supporting at least two gang assemblies. The main frame 102, forexample, supports a pair of front gang assemblies and a pair of reargang assemblies. As shown, the pair of front gang assemblies may includea first main frame front gang assembly 122 and a second main frame frontgang assembly 124. Likewise, the pair of rear gang assemblies mayinclude a first main frame rear gang assembly 126 and a second mainframe rear gang assembly 128. The first frame section 104 may include afront gang assembly 130 and a rear gang assembly 132, and the secondframe section 106 may include a front gang assembly 134 and a rear gangassembly 136. The first and second frame sections may include a pair offront and rear gang assemblies in other embodiments.

Each gang assembly includes a plurality of work tools 138 such as discsor coulters for breaking up soil. The tools 138 are maintained mutuallyspaced apart relationship with one another.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the agricultural implement 100may include a plurality of actuators for controlling an angle at whichthe gang assemblies are oriented. This angle is referred to as the gangangle. Each actuator may be a hydraulic actuator, electric actuator, orany other known actuator. Moreover, each actuator may include an outerbody or cylinder in which a rod or piston moves between an extendedposition and a retracted position. For purposes of this disclosure, theactuators are similar in size in that the cylinder bore and strokelength are the same. To bleed air from the system, the actuators mayutilize an internal rephrase cartridge to flow through the whole system.

In FIG. 1, the main frame 102 includes a first front actuator 150 forcontrolling the gang angle of the first main frame front gang assembly122, a first rear actuator 152 for controlling the gang angle of thefirst main frame rear gang assembly 126, a second front actuator 148 forcontrolling the gang angle of the second main frame front gang assembly124, and a second rear actuator 160 for controlling the gang angle ofthe second main frame rear gang assembly 128.

The first frame section 104 may include a front actuator 154 forcontrolling the gang angle of the front gang assembly 130 and a rearactuator 156 for controlling the gang angle of the rear gang assembly132. Likewise, the second frame section 106 may include a front actuator162 for controlling the gang angle of the front gang assembly 134 and arear actuator 164 for controlling the gang angle of the rear gangassembly 136.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the implement 100 may include a gang linkage148 that couples the pair of rear gang assemblies 126, 128 to oneanother and synchronously adjusting the assemblies during angularadjustment. In other words, as the gang angle of the first main framerear gang assembly 126 changes, the gang linkage 148 interconnects thesecond main frame rear gang assembly 128 thereto such that the gangangle of the second main frame rear gang assembly 128 is substantiallythe same as the gang angle of the first main frame rear gang assembly126. The gang linkage essentially ensures that the side-to-side gangassemblies are maintained at approximately the same gang angle at alltimes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gang linkage is shown as a mechanicallinkage. It may include an interconnecting link 214 pivotally coupled toa first link 206 connected to the first main frame rear gang assembly126 and to a second link 210 connected to the second main frame reargang assembly 128. The first link 206 may be pivotally coupled to afirst linkage beam 216 via a first pivot 208. The second link 210 may bepivotally coupled to a second linkage beam 218 via a second pivot 212.

In FIG. 2, the first main frame rear gang assembly 126 and the secondmain frame rear gang assembly 128 are shown disposed at a first position200 corresponding to a zero gang angle. In this first position, bothgang assemblies are aligned along a transverse axis 202 as shown. Thetransverse axis 202 is oriented at approximately 90° with respect to aforward travel direction (indicated by arrow 204) of the implement 100.Each gang assembly may include a gang beam to which the respective gangof work tools 138 is rotatably coupled. In FIG. 2, the first main framerear gang assembly 126 includes a first gang beam 220, and the secondmain frame rear gang assembly 128 includes a second gang beam 222. Inthe first position 200, the first and second gang beams are disposedalong the axis 202 and thus substantially transverse or perpendicular tothe travel direction 204.

It is further shown in FIG. 2 that the first gang beam 220 may becoupled to a first support beam 224, and the second gang beam 222 may becoupled to a second support beam 226. The first and second support beamsmay extend in a direction substantially parallel to the travel direction204, and both beams may be coupled to a transverse beam 228 as shown inFIG. 2. The overall frame structure of the main frame 102, first framesection 104, and second frame section 106 may differ from theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus the illustrated embodimentsare not intended to be limited by the frame structure shown.

With the rear gang assemblies 126, 128 of the main frame 102 being at azero gang angle in FIG. 2, the same assemblies 126, 128 are shown at adifferent gang angle in FIG. 3. In particular, a second position 300 ofthe rear gang assemblies 126, 128 is shown in which both gangs areangled at approximately the same angle (along second axis 302) but whichis greater than the zero degree gang angle of the first position 200. Inanother words, the gangs are horizontally adjusted relative to the frameto which they are coupled for adjusting the angle between the directionof travel 204 of the frame and the axis of rotation 302.

In one non-limiting example, the gang angle may be approximately 12° inthe second position 300. In another example, the gang angle may be about6°. These are only provided as examples, and any known or desired gangangle may be depicted in FIG. 3 such that the rear gang assemblies areshown being capable of reaching an angle different from that in FIG. 2.

In FIGS. 1-3, the gang linkage 148 is shown as a mechanical linkageinterconnecting the pair of rear gang assemblies on the main frame 102.However, the gang linkage 148 may also be an electric, hydraulic, orelectro-hydraulic linkage. For instance, sensors may be disposed on eachgang assembly and communicate with a controller in regards to theangular position of the respective gang assembly. In turn, thecontroller may communicate with an electric or hydraulic system foradjusting gang angle to ensure the front and rear gang assemblies areangularly synchronized with one another. The interconnecting link 214 inFIG. 2, for example, may be an actuator operably controlled by thecontroller to adjust gang angle. Other conventional mechanisms andsystems may be employed to control gang angle. Moreover, while only therear gang assemblies of the main frame 102 are shown and described withrespect to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is to be understood that similar linkagesmay be utilized with the front gang assemblies of the main frame.Further, in the event the first or second frame section includes a pairof gang assemblies, a similar gang linkage may be used to control andsynchronize the gang angle between the pair of assemblies.

Although not shown, an electronic control system may be used forcontrolling the agricultural implement 100. The implement may be pulledby a work machine (not shown), which may include a frame or chassissupported by a plurality of ground-engaging mechanisms (not shown) suchas wheels. An operator's cab (not shown) may be mounted to the frame andan operator may control the work machine and implement 100 therefrom. Todo so, the work machine may include a plurality of controls (not shown)such as joysticks, levers, switches, knobs, a steering wheel, pedals,and the like. A controller (not shown) may be electrically coupled tothe plurality of controls, and the controller may control thefunctionality of the work machine and implement 100. In one example, theoperator may operably control the gang linkage 148 in order to adjustgang angle from the cab.

Moreover, a user interface (not shown) may be disposed in the operator'scab. The user interface may include a display (not shown) for displayingvarious characteristics of the work machine such as, but not limited to,speed, fluid temperatures, fluid pressures, direction of travel, etc.The display may be a touchscreen display that allows the operator tocontrol certain functions of the machine and implement (e.g., ganglinkage 148) by touching a button on the display. Other uses of the userinterface may be available and this disclosure is not intended to belimited in any way with respect to the functionality of the operatorcontrols or user interface.

As described above, the user interface (not shown) may also includecontrols for controlling the implement 100, such as movement of thefirst or second frame section, adjusting gang angle of one of the gangassemblies, etc.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a hydraulic control system 400 forcontrolling the gang angle of a plurality of gang assemblies mounted toa multi-section frame of an agricultural implement 100. Withmulti-section frame implements such as the one shown in FIG. 1, it isdesirable to adjust the gang angle on the go during field operationwithout the operator having to exit the cab. Moreover, a gang linkage ofthe implement may be used for timing the gang angle adjustment betweenboth sides thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the gang linkage may be locatedat or near the rear and center of the main frame 102, although thelocation may vary depending upon the implement.

To be able to achieve infinite gang angle adjustment, the system 400includes a plurality of actuators each comprising a cylinder-piston-rodconfiguration. The main frame 102 includes four of the plurality ofactuators, and the first and second frame sections each include a pairof actuators, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In an embodiment in which thereis a first outer wing coupled to the first frame section and a secondouter wing coupled to the second frame section, each outer wing mayinclude a pair of actuators for controlling a front and rear gangassembly.

In conventional hydraulic control systems, the two most common types ofsystems are series hydraulic control and parallel hydraulic control. Aseries hydraulic control is typically a pure mechanical system withoutany electronic control. Here, hydraulic fluid is supplied from a fluidsource to a first or master actuator or cylinder. The master cylinderreceives the full amount of fluid flow, and as the master cylinder isactuated, fluid is displaced from the master cylinder and flows to thenext-in-line actuator or cylinder. In this system, each actuator orcylinder is fluidly connected to one another in a series which allowsfor each cylinder to quickly receive fluid from the fluid source.

Parallel hydraulic control can include electronic control unlike theseries hydraulic control. In this type of control, valves are utilizedto control how fluid flows through the system. Fluid may flow acrosseach section in an equal amount so that fluid is available at eachactuator. The fluid source, however, only has a limited amount of fluid.Thus, when an operator wants to control the flow of fluid, the parallelhydraulic control is capable of providing fluid to the actuator at aparticular section but it may take much longer than in a serieshydraulic control.

Referring to FIG. 4, the present disclosure provides a series hydrauliccontrol in the form of a master-slave configuration, but the arrangementis different than conventional master-slave hydraulic systems. Inconventional master-slave systems, all cylinders or actuators areoperably controlled in the same direction, i.e., they each retract orextend in the same direction. Oil or other hydraulic fluid flows along apath from rod to base to rod. To achieve this, the conventional systemrequires the cylinder bores to decrease or step down in size along theflow path in order to maintain a consistent volume from cylinder tocylinder.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, however, the master-slavehydraulic system is different. Here, each of the plurality of actuatorsin the system have the same size, i.e., the same bore and stroke length.To achieve this, the actuators do not all move in the same direction.This will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 4, a fluid source 402 provides hydraulic fluid to thesystem 400. The fluid source 402 may be located on the work machine ortractor (not shown), and a hydraulic pump may supply the fluid to theimplement 100. A fluid reservoir or tank 404 may also be provided forfluid to return from the implement 100. The fluid source 402 and fluidreservoir 404 may be fluidly coupled to one another.

The work machine or tractor may also include a selective control valve406 that is fluidly coupled to the fluid source 402. The valve 406 maybe any type of valve that selectively allows fluid to flow from the workmachine to the implement 100. The valve 406 may be an electrohydrauliccontrol valve that is controlled by a machine controller 470. Forexample, the controller 470 may be programmed to selectively open andclose the control valve 406 via communication line 472. If the workmachine requires additional hydraulic fluid to perform an operation, thecontroller 470 may close the valve 406 and not permit fluid to flow tothe implement 100. In one embodiment, the selective control valve 406may be biased to its open position and thus may be referred to as anormally open control valve. In another embodiment, the valve 406 may bebiased to its closed position and thus be referred to as a normallyclosed valve.

In any event, hydraulic fluid may be supplied by the fluid source 402through the control valve 406 and to the implement 100 via a flow pathor pressure line to a T-connector 408. As fluid is provided from thesource 402 to the T-connector, the fluid is directed into a first fluidline 410 and a second fluid 412. The first fluid line 410 directshydraulic fluid to a left side of the implement (with respect to thetravel direction 204) along a first fluid direction 414 and the secondfluid line directs hydraulic fluid to a right side thereof along asecond fluid direction 416. The left side includes a first half of themain frame 102 and the second frame section 106, and the right sideincludes a second half of the main frame 102 and the first frame section104.

Looking at the right side of the implement 100 implement, the hydraulicfluid flows from the T-connector 408 to the first frame section rearactuator 156. In particular, an inlet is located at a base end 446 ofthe actuator 156, and fluid enters the base end 446 to move the actuator156 in an extending direction 444 to an extended position, as shown inFIG. 4. As the actuator 156 extends, it forces hydraulic fluid to exit arod end 448 of the actuator 156. The fluid exits the rod end 448 andflows via fluid line 450 to the first main frame front actuator 150.Here, the fluid enters at a rod end 452 of the actuator 150, therebymoving the actuator 150 in a retracting direction 442 to its retractedposition, as shown in FIG. 4. As the actuator 150 moves to its retractedposition, hydraulic fluid located at a base end 454 of the actuator 150is forced to exit therefrom.

Fluid exiting the actuator 150 flows rearward along fluid line 456 tothe first main frame rear actuator 152. Here, fluid enters a base end458 of the actuator 152, causing the actuator 152 to move in theextending direction 444 to its extended position. As the actuator 152extends, fluid located in a rod end 460 of the actuator 152 is forced toexit. Hydraulic fluid exiting the rod end 460 of the actuator 152 flowsvia fluid line 462 to the first frame section front actuator 154. Thefluid enters the actuator 154 at its rod end 464, thereby forcing thepiston rod 468 to move in the retracting direction 442 to its retractedposition. As the actuator 154 retracts, hydraulic fluid located in abase end 466 of the actuator 154 is forced to exit the actuator via areturn line 440.

The return line 440 is fluidly coupled to the reservoir 404, as shown inFIG. 4. Fluid in the return line 440 may be recirculated to either thefirst or second fluid lines by the pressure source 402.

Similar to the right side of the implement 100, the left side mayoperate in substantially the same manner. For instance, hydraulic fluidin the first fluid line 410 flows in the first direction 414 to thesecond frame section 106, and in particular to the second frame sectionrear actuator 164. The second frame section rear actuator 164, like theother three actuators on the left side of the implement and the fouractuators on the right side of the implement, includes a base end 420and a rod end 418. A piston rod 468 moves in either a retractingdirection 442 or extending direction 444 based on hydraulic pressure.

As shown in FIG. 4, hydraulic fluid enters the actuator 164 at its baseend 420, thereby forcing the piston rod 468 to its extended position. Asthe actuator 164 extends, fluid at the rod end 418 is forced to exit andflow via fluid line 422 to the second main frame front actuator 158.Here, the fluid enters the actuator 158 at its rod end 424, therebymoving the piston rod 468 in the retracting direction 442. As theactuator 158 retracts to its retracted position, hydraulic fluid in thebase end 426 is forced to exit into fluid line 428 from the actuator158.

Hydraulic fluid flow from the second main frame front actuator 158 tothe second main frame rear actuator 160 via the fluid line 428. Inparticular, the fluid enters the base end 430 of the actuator 160,thereby forcing the piston rod 468 to move in the extend direction 444to its extended position, as shown. As the piston rod 468 extends,hydraulic fluid in the rod end 432 of the actuator 160 is forced out ofthe actuator 160 and into fluid line 438 where it flows to the secondframe section front actuator 162. The fluid enters the actuator 162 atits rod end 434, thereby forcing the piston rod 468 to retract to itsretracted position of FIG. 4. As the piston rod 468 retracts, it causesfluid displacement in the base end 436 of the actuator such that fluidexits therefrom via the return line 440. As described above, hydraulicfluid in the return line 440 may flow to the reservoir 404 and berecirculated in the hydraulic system 400.

Although described above, it is worth noting that the extension orretraction of the actuators causes the respective gang assembly to movein such a manner that its gang angle can be adjusted. In other words, asfluid is supplied to the first frame section rear actuator 156, thepiston rod 468 moves to its extended position to induce a change in gangangle of the first frame section rear gang assembly 132. Similarly, ashydraulic fluid pressurizes the first main frame rear actuator 152, thepiston rod 468 moves to its extended position to vary the gang angle ofthe first main frame rear gang assembly 126. In the same manner,movement of the first frame section front actuator 154 varies the gangangle of the first frame section front gang assembly 130, and movementof the first main frame front actuator 150 hydraulically adjusts thegang angle of the first main frame front gang assembly 122.

The left side of the implement 100 may be controlled in the same way.The extension of the piston rod 468 in the second frame section rearactuator 164 varies the gang angle of the second frame section rear gangassembly 136, and the extension of the piston rod 468 in the second mainframe rear actuator 160 operably adjusts the gang angle of the secondmain frame rear gang assembly 128. Likewise, retraction of the pistonrod 468 in the second frame section front actuator 162 varies the gangangle of the second frame section front gang assembly 134, andretraction of the piston rod 468 in the second main frame front actuator158 hydraulically adjusts the gang angle of the second main frame frontgang assembly 124.

Moreover, the gang linkage 148 is capable of interlocking orinterconnecting the rear gang assemblies 126, 128 on the main frame tomaintain the gang angle of each to be approximately the same. Further,the gang angle of the front gang assemblies 122, 124 may be synchronizedwith one another as well. With the hydraulic cylinders being the samesize and the stroke of the piston rods being the same, the gang angle ofthe front and rear gang assemblies on the first and second framesections may be the same as the gang angle of each gang assembly on themain frame. Thus, the implement 100 may be hydraulically controlled insuch a way that the gang angle of each gang assembly may be varied asdesired but such that the gang angle of each gang assembly issubstantially the same.

As described above, the master-slave configuration of the hydrauliccontrol system 400 is such that hydraulic fluid is directed from thepressure or fluid source 402 to one of the wing frames, rather than toan actuator on the main frame. This is shown clearly in FIG. 4 wherefluid flows via the first fluid line 414 to the second frame sectionrear actuator 164 and via the second fluid line 416 to the first framesection rear actuator 156.

Moreover, hydraulic fluid returns to the reservoir 404 via the returnline 440 as it exits from one of the wing frames rather than from one ofthe actuators on the main frame 102. In FIG. 4, for example, fluid exitsthe first frame section front actuator 154 and the second frame sectionfront actuator 162.

Another feature of the hydraulic control system 400 is the rod-to-rodand base-to-base connections. In most conventional systems, hydraulicfluid flows from a base end of a first actuator to a rod end of a secondactuator, and from the rod end of the second actuator to a base end of athird actuator, and so on. Here, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG.4, hydraulic fluid flows the rod end of one actuator to a rod end ofanother actuator, and from the base end of one actuator to a base end ofanother actuator. For example, hydraulic fluid flows via fluid line 422from the rod end 418 of the second frame section rear actuator 164 tothe rod end 424 of the second main frame front actuator 158. Likewise,hydraulic fluid flows via fluid line 450 from the rod end 448 of thefirst frame section rear actuator 156 to the rod end 452 of the firstmain frame front actuator 150. As an example of the base end to base endflow, hydraulic fluid flows via fluid line 428 from the base end 426 ofthe second main frame front actuator 158 to the base end 430 of thesecond main frame rear actuator 160. Moreover, hydraulic fluid flows viafluid line 456 from the base end 454 of the first main frame frontactuator 150 to the base end 458 of the first main frame rear actuator152.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the front actuators on the main frame 102,first frame section 104 and second frame section 106 are shown in theirretracted positions, whereas the rear actuators on all three frames areshown in their extended positions. In conventional master-slave seriescircuits, all of the actuators move in the same direction, i.e., eitherin the retracted direction or extended direction. This is not the casewith the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, however. Due to the actuatorsbeing of the same size, the rear actuators move in an opposite directionfrom their counterpart front actuators. Thus, due to the size of theactuators being the same and the gang linkage 148, the gang angle ofeach gang assembly on both sides of the implement 100 may besynchronized with one another and maintained at approximately the samegang angle.

In FIG. 4, the actuators on the front of the multi-section implement 100may move to their retracted position to decrease gang angle, whereas theactuators on the rear of the implement 100 move to their extendedposition to decrease gang angle. When the direction of flow is reversed,the gang angle of the respective gang assemblies can be increased. Forexample, in one embodiment (not shown), the hydraulic fluid may flowfirst to the rod end 434 of the second frame section front actuator 162to actuate it to its extended position. As the actuator 162 extends,fluid displacement at the base end 436 causes fluid to flow via line 438to the base end 430 of the second main frame rear actuator 160 therebycausing its piston rod 468 to retract. The flow of hydraulic fluid stillbegins at the wing frame, rather than the main frame, but it flows inthe opposite direction as described above. Thus, the same is true on theright side of the implement 100 where hydraulic fluid enters the rod end464 of the first frame section front actuator 154 to actuate it to itsextended position. As the actuator 154 extends, fluid displacement atthe base end causes fluid to flow via line 462 to the base end 458 ofthe first main frame rear actuator 152 thereby causing its piston rod468 to retract. This hydraulic flow continues accordingly until it exitsthe rod end 448 of the first frame section rear actuator 156 and the rodend 418 of the second frame section rear actuator 164. Although notshown, one or more valves may be disposed in the hydraulic controlsystem 400 to control the direction of fluid flow therethrough 400. Inthe event of this reverse flow, hydraulic fluid exiting the rod ends ofthe first and second frame section rear actuators 156, 164 may befluidly coupled to the reservoir 404 via fluid lines not shown in eitherFIG. 4 or 5. A selective control valve may be operably controlled by thecontroller 470, for example, to either open or close the fluid line tothe reservoir 404. Other embodiments for controlling fluid flow throughthe system may be incorporated as well.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the gang angle of theplurality of gang assemblies is increased as the front actuators 150,154, 158, 162 are extended and the rear actuators 152, 156, 160, 164 areretracted. Instead of reverse fluid flow, however, hydraulic fluid maybe supplied by the pressure source 402 via the first and second fluidlines 414, 416 to the rod ends 418, 448 of the first and second framesection rear actuators 164, 156, respectively. In doing so, the pistonrod 468 of both actuators is actuated in a retracting direction 502 tothe retracted position of FIG. 5. As the actuators retract, fluiddisplacement induces fluid in the base end of each actuator to exittherefrom. In FIG. 5, the fluid exiting the actuator 156 flows via fluidline 450 to the base end 454 of the first main frame front actuator 150.Likewise, fluid exiting the base end 416 of the actuator 164 flows viafluid line 422 to the base end 426 of the second main frame frontactuator 158. The flow of hydraulic fluid continues in the oppositedirection of FIG. 4 until the fluid exits rod end 464 of the first framesection front actuator 154 and the rod end 434 of the second framesection front actuator 162 and returns to the reservoir 404. Valves andthe like may be incorporated in the hydraulic control system to controlthe direction of fluid flow through the system. At least in theembodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, however, the fluid is always supplied bythe source 402 to the rear actuator on the first and second framesections. Moreover, in this disclosure, embodiments are presented inwhich hydraulic fluid is supplied by the source 402 to an actuatorlocated on a wing frame (e.g., first or second frame section) and notthe main or center frame.

It is also worth noting that the utilization of control valves in thesystem 400 is possible. For example, the implement 100 may include aplurality of control valves for controlling the direction of hydraulicfluid flow through the system and thus gang angle adjustment. Eachcontrol valve may be in electrical communication with the controller470, which is further capable of receiving commands from the operatorcontrols in the cab to control the implement. Each control valve maytherefore be an electrohydraulic control valve that is capable of movingbetween an open position and a closed position. Each valve may include asolenoid (not shown) that is energized by an electrical current orsignal sent by the controller 470 to induce movement of the valvebetween the open and closed positions. The movement of the controlvalves can adjust fluid flow to the different actuators for controllingmovement thereof and vary gang angle as desired.

As noted above, it is possible the agricultural implement may includeadditional frame sections besides the three shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, in FIGS. 6 and 7, an agricultural implement 700 may include acenter or main frame section 102, one inner wing or first frame section104, another inner wing or second frame section 106, one outer wing orthird frame section 600, and another outer wing or fourth frame section602. Each frame section may be pivotally coupled to the frame sectionadjacent thereto. Thus, the first frame section 104 may be pivotallycoupled between the main frame section 102 and the third frame section600, whereas the second frame section 106 may be pivotally coupledbetween the main frame section 102 and the fourth frame section 602. InFIG. 7, the first frame section 104 is pivotally coupled to the thirdframe section 600 via pivots 714, and the second frame section 106 ispivotally coupled to the fourth frame section 602 via pivots 716.

The third frame section 600 may be supported on the ground by wheel 112and support wheels 710. The fourth frame section 602 may be supported onthe ground by wheel 112 and supports 712.

As also shown in FIG. 7, the third and fourth frame sections 600, 602may each include a front and a rear gang assembly. The third framesection 600 may include a front gang assembly 702 and a rear gangassembly 704, whereas the fourth frame section 602 may include a frontgang assembly 706 and a rear gang assembly 708. These gang assembliesmay be hydraulically adjusted by a hydraulic actuator to achieve adesired gang angle, as illustrated in the hydraulic control system 606of FIG. 6. Here, for example, the front gang assembly 702 on the thirdframe section 600 may be hydraulically controlled by a front hydraulicactuator 608 including a piston rod 468 capable of moving between anextended position and a retracted position. As shown, the actuator 608includes a base end 618 and a rod end 616 in which fluid acts againstthe piston rod 468. As fluid fills the base end 618 of the actuator 608,the piston rod 468 may be moved in an extend direction 660, whereas asfluid fills the rod end 616 the piston rod 468 may move in a retractdirection 658.

A rear gang assembly 704 on the third frame section 600 may behydraulically controlled by a rear hydraulic actuator 610 as shown inFIG. 6. Here, the hydraulic actuator 610 includes a piston rod 468 thatis movable between an extended and retracted positions. The actuator 610comprises a rod end 620 and a base end 622, whereas fluid fills the rodend 620 the piston rod 468 moves in the retract direction 658. On theother hand, as fluid fills the base end 622, the piston rod 468 moves inthe extend direction 660. In FIG. 6, and as will be described below, thethird frame section rear actuator 610 acts as a master actuator over themain frame front and rear actuators 150, 152, the first frame front andrear actuators 154, 156, and the third frame front actuator 608. Thus,the fluid path of hydraulic fluid begins at the outermost wing and thenweaves or criss-crosses from rear actuator to front actuator and soforth until it reaches the third frame section front actuator 608 wherethe fluid returns to a reservoir 404 via a return line 646.

With respect to the fourth frame section 602, a gang angle of its frontgang assembly 706 may be adjusted by a front hydraulic actuator 612.Similarly, its rear gang assembly 708 may be adjusted by a rearhydraulic actuator 614. The front hydraulic actuator 612 and rearhydraulic actuator 614 each include a piston rod 468 that extends andretracts. With respect to the front actuator 612, it includes a rod end624 and a base end 626. Likewise, the rear actuator 614 includes a rodend 628 and a base end 630.

The rear actuator 614 of the fourth frame section 602 may act as amaster actuator over the main frame front and rear actuators 158, 160,the second frame front and rear actuators 162, 164, and the fourth framefront actuator 612. Thus, the fluid path of hydraulic fluid begins atthe outermost wing (i.e., the fourth frame section rear actuator 614)and then weaves or criss-crosses from rear actuator to front actuatorand so forth until it reaches the fourth frame section front actuator612 where the fluid returns to the reservoir 404 via the return line646.

To better understand this hydraulic control system 606 and the flow ofhydraulic fluid therethrough, the supply of fluid and control thereof issimilar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5. A hydraulic source such as a pump 402may supply fluid stored otherwise in a reservoir 404 and deliver thefluid to a T-connector 408. A control valve 406 may be disposed betweenthe pump 402 and T-connector 408, and an electronic control unit 470 mayoperably communicate via a communication link 472 with the valve 406 toselectively open or close it. As fluid flows to the T-connector 408, itmay flow in either a first direction 414 towards the fourth framesection 602 or in a second direction 416 towards the third frame section600. When the fluid flows in the first direction 414, it does so througha first fluid path 634, and as fluid flows in the second direction 416it does so through a second fluid path 632.

As hydraulic fluid flows in the second fluid path 632, it flows to thethird frame section rear actuator 610 and fills the base end 622thereof. As it does, the rear actuator extends in an extending direction660 to its extended position, as shown. Fluid in the rod end 620 of theactuator 610 is forced out and into a third flow path 636 which connectswith the rod end 464 of the first frame section front actuator 154. Asit does, the piston rod 468 of the front actuator 154 retracts to theretracted position and thereby forces fluid in the base end 466 to flowinto a fourth flow path 638 which connects with the base end 458 of themain frame first rear actuator 152. Fluid in the base end 458 urges thepiston rod 468 to move in the extending direction 660 thereby forcingfluid in the rod end 460 to flow via a fifth flow path 640 to the rodend 452 of the main frame first front actuator 150.

As fluid enters the rod end 452 of the front actuator 150, it forces thepiston rod 468 to retract thereby forcing fluid in the base end 454thereof to flow via a sixth flow path 642 to the base end 446 of thefirst frame section rear actuator 156. As it does, the piston rod 468 inthe rear actuator 156 is forced to move in the extending direction 660towards its extended position. Fluid in the rod end 448 of the rearactuator 156 exits and flows via a seventh flow path 644 to the rod end616 of the third frame section front actuator 608. Fluid fills the rodend 616 and urges the piston rod 468 to retract towards its retractedposition. As it does, fluid in the base end 618 flows out of theactuator 608 and returns to the reservoir 404 via the return line 646.

It is noted from the above description that the hydraulic control system600 provides a fluid circuit that fluidly couples the actuators inseries in a master-slave arrangement. Moreover, in the fluid circuit, arod end of one actuator is directly fluidly coupled to a rod end ofanother actuator, and a base end of an actuator is directly fluidcoupled to a base end of a different actuator. For example, in FIG. 6,the rod end 620 of the third frame section rear actuator 610 is directlyfluidly coupled to the rod end 464 of the first frame section frontactuator 154 via fluid path 636. The base end 466 of the first framesection front actuator 154 is directly fluidly coupled to the base end458 of the main frame first rear actuator 152 via flow path 638.

As also shown, the fluid circuit weaves forward-to-backward-to-forward.In other words, the flow paths criss-cross as the third flow path 636connects the rear actuator 610 of the third frame section 600 with thefront actuator 154 of the first frame section 104, and the fourth flowpath 638 connects the front actuator 154 of the first frame section 104with the rear actuator 152 of the main frame 102.

The same is true on the other side of the implement. Hydraulic fluidsupplied by the pump or fluid source 402 flows via the first flow path634 to the base end 630 of the rear actuator 614 of the fourth framesection 602. As it does, fluid fills the base end 630 and urges thepiston rod 468 to move in the extending direction 660 towards itsextended position. Fluid in the rod end 628 exits the actuator and flowsvia an eighth flow path 648 to the base end 434 of the second framesection front actuator 162. The piston rod 468 in the front actuator 162moves in the retracting direction 658 thereby forcing fluid to exit fromthe base end 436 and flow via a ninth flow path 650 to the base end 430of the main frame second rear actuator 160.

As the fluid enters the base end 430, the piston rod 468 moves in theextending direction 660 towards the extended position and forces fluidin the rod end 432 to exit. The fluid exits and flows via a tenth flowpath 652 to the rod end 424 of the main frame second front actuator 158.Fluid entering the rod end 424 may urge the piston rod 468 to move inthe retracting direction 658 towards the retracted position, and forcefluid in the base end 426 to flow via an eleventh flow path 654 to thebase end 420 of the second frame section rear actuator 164. As fluidfills the base end 420, the piston rod 468 in the rear actuator 164moves in the extending direction 660 and thereby forces fluid in the rodend 418 to exit and flow via a twelfth flow path 656 to the rod end 624of the fourth frame section front actuator 612. As it does so, fluid inthe base end 626 of the actuator 612 exits therefrom and returns to thereservoir 404 via the return line 646.

It is noted that the hydraulic circuit just described is also a seriescircuit configured in a master-slave arrangement. Unlike conventionalhydraulic systems, the master actuator is on the outer-most wing of theimplement, and fluid returns to the reservoir from an actuator on theouter-most wing. In FIG. 6, for example, the fluid circuit begins at therear actuators 610, 614 of the third and fourth frame sections,respectively, and the circuit ends at the front actuators 608, 612 ofthe same frame sections.

As also shown in FIG. 6, the rear actuators are shown in their extendedpositions at the same time as the front actuators are shown in theirretracted positions. Movement between the extended and retractedpositions allows for an infinitely adjustable gang angle of each gangassembly. Moreover, each actuator or cylinder is the same size andstroke for a given machine. Thus, unlike most conventional master-slavearrangements which require different sized cylinders, the presentdisclosure provides a hydraulic system in which each actuator is sizedthe same. Further, as the actuators in the front extend and theactuators in the rear retract, the gang angle of each gang assembly mayincrease, whereas the gang angle decreases when the actuators in thefront retract and the actuators in the rear extend.

Lastly, the left and right sides of the implement are timed by a ganglinkage 148 as described above. The linkage 148 may be controlledmechanically, hydraulically, or any other known way. Based on thegeometry of the hydraulic control system and the gang linkage 148, thetwo halves of the implement are synchronously timed and thereby allowfor infinite gang adjustment in the operating range during operation.

While the actuators shown and described in the aforementionedembodiments are hydraulic actuators, actuators may be controlledmechanically, electrically, pneumatically, etc. For instance, in FIG.11, one embodiment is illustrated of a control system 1100 forcontrolling electric linear actuators instead of hydraulic actuators. Inthis embodiment, each hydraulic actuator may be replaced with a linearactuator. In FIG. 4, for example, the main or center frame section mayinclude linear actuators 150 and 158 on the front portion and linearactuators 152 and 160 on the rear portion thereof. Similarly, the firstframe section 104 may include a front linear actuator 154 and a rearlinear actuator 156, and the second frame section 106 may include afront linear actuator 162 and a rear linear actuator 164. Each of theselinear actuators may be controlled electrically and independently by acontroller 1110 in order to control the gang angle of the one or moregang assemblies on the implement.

In FIG. 11, a tractor 1102 may be used to propel the agriculturalimplement across a field. The tractor 1102 may include an engine orother power-generating device used for providing power to a conventionalalternator 1104. The alternator 1104 may in turn charge a battery orother power source 1106. The battery or other power source 1106 may belocated on the tractor 1102 in one example. In an alternative example,the battery or power source 1106 may be located on the implement. Ineither case, the battery or power source 1106 may supply electricalpower to the one or more actuators 1108 coupled to the agriculturalimplement.

In FIG. 12, a different embodiment is illustrated of a control system1200 for controlling electric linear actuators to control gang angle ofone or more disc gangs mounted to the implement. In this embodiment, oneor more electric linear actuators may be controlled by a controller1208. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the controlsystem 1200 may include a tractor 1202 for propelling the implementacross the field. An engine or other prime mover on the tractor maydirectly supply power to charge a battery or other power source 1204.Here, the battery or power source 1204 may be coupled directly to theimplement. Alternatively, the battery or power source 1204 may becoupled to the tractor 1202. In either case, the one or more linearactuators 1206 may draw electrical power from the battery or powersource 1204.

In each embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each electric linearactuator may be independently controlled relative to the other actuatorsto control gang angle of the different disc gangs mounted to theimplement. In one example, John Deere's TruSet™ technology may beprogrammed into the controller for controlling the linear actuators toachieve desirable gang angles. The controller may be located on thetractor or the implement. In the case the controller is located on theimplement, a controller on the tractor may be used to communicateinstructions to the controller on the implement. In this latter case,the controller on the tractor may include the logic for controlling thecontroller located on the implement.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, it is noted that thesynchronizer assembly or gang linkage 148 may be replaced by a differentsynchronizing system. In FIG. 8, for example, the gang linkage 148 isremoved. In other words, the left and right halves of the center or mainframe may be synchronized or timed by a means other than a mechanicallinkage. In FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, a hydraulic control system 800and control circuit 900 may use a plurality of position sensors andcontrol logic (e.g., John Deere's TruSet™ technology) to ensure the twohalves are synchronized with one another. The position sensors may becoupled at various locations on the agricultural implement and detectthe relative position of a disc gang or its gang angle and communicatethe same back to a controller 902. The position sensors may each be arotary potentiometer.

Referring to FIG. 8, the hydraulic control system 800 is shown having asupply line 806 coupled between a tractor 802 and the agriculturalimplement 804. Likewise, a return line 838 is further coupled betweenthe tractor 802 and the implement 804. The implement 804 may be amulti-section agricultural implement including a plurality of disc gangassemblies such as the one depicted in FIG. 1. Moreover, the implement804 may include a main or center frame “MF,” a first frame or wing framesection “W1,” and a second frame or wing frame “W2.”

The main or center frame may include a first front hydraulic actuator822, a second front hydraulic actuator 848, a first rear hydraulicactuator 820, and a second rear hydraulic actuator 846. Each hydraulicactuator may operably control a gang angle of a respective disc gangassembly mounted to the main or center frame.

The first frame section may include a first frame front actuator 818 anda first frame rear actuator 824. Likewise, the second frame section mayinclude a second frame front actuator 844 and a second frame rearactuator 850. Each of the actuators on the first and second frames mayoperably control a disc gang assembly mounted thereto. Moreover, thehydraulic actuators on the main or center frame, the first frame, andthe second frame may be fluidly coupled to the supply and return lines,and to a fluid supply located on either the tractor 802 or the implement804.

The hydraulic arrangement of FIG. 8 is similar to the previousembodiments in which each half of the implement is controlled by amaster-slave arrangement. For instance, a first master control valve 816is disposed between the supply and the first frame front actuator 818.The first master control valve 816 may be controllably actuated betweenat least two positions, wherein at least one position blocks fluid frombeing received by the actuator 818, and a second of the at least twopositions in which the valve 816 allows fluid to be received by theactuator 818. The master control valve 816 may be controllably actuatedbetween a plurality of positions to control an amount of hydraulic fluidor pressure is received by the first frame front actuator 818. Moreover,in this arrangement, the first frame front actuator 818 may serve as amaster over the first frame rear actuator 824, the main frame firstfront actuator 822 and the main frame first rear actuator 820.

The other half of the implement may be operably controlled via a secondmaster control valve 842. The second master control valve 842 may belocated between the supply of hydraulic fluid and the second frame fronthydraulic actuator 844. The second master control valve 842 may becontrollably actuated between at least two positions, wherein at leastone position blocks fluid from being received by the actuator 844, and asecond of the at least two positions in which the valve 842 allows fluidto be received by the actuator 844. The master control valve 842 may becontrollably actuated between a plurality of positions to control anamount of hydraulic fluid or pressure is received by the second framefront actuator 844. The second frame front actuator 844 may serve as amaster actuator over the second frame rear actuator 850, the main framesecond front actuator 848, and the main frame second rear actuator 846.

The flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic control system 800will now be described. First, hydraulic fluid may be supplied from ahydraulic supply located on either the tractor 802 or the implement 804.In either case, the fluid may be supplied via the supply line 806 to afirst supply line 808 and a second supply line 810. The first and secondsupply lines may fluidly couple to the supply line 806 via a junction,as shown in FIG. 8. Hydraulic fluid may flow through the first supplyline 808 along a first flow direction 812 to the first master controlvalve 816, and hydraulic fluid may flow through the second supply line810 along a second flow direction 814 to the second master control valve842.

With the first master control valve 816 being open, fluid may flow tothe first frame front actuator 818, and particularly, to a base end ofthe actuator 818. As it does, a rod in the first frame front actuator818 may extend to adjust a gang angle of a corresponding disc gangassembly on the front of the first frame section. Fluid may exit fromthe first frame front actuator 818 and flow through a hydraulic line 826along a third flow direction 828 to the main frame first rear actuator820. Here, the fluid may enter the rod end of the actuator 820. Fluidexiting the main frame first rear actuator 820 may flow via fluid line830 along flow direction 832 to the main frame first front actuator 822.Here, fluid may enter at the base end of the actuator 822, and exit fromthe rod end. Fluid exiting the actuator 822 may flow via fluid line 834along flow direction 836 to the first frame rear actuator 824. Fluid mayenter at the rod end of the actuator 824, and exit via the base end. Anyhydraulic fluid that exits the first frame rear actuator 824 may flowalong flow direction 840 via the return line 838 and return to the fluidsupply.

Hydraulic fluid flowing in the second supply line 810 may be received bythe second frame front actuator 844 when the second master control valve842 is open. In particular, fluid may enter the base end of the actuator844 and exit from the rod end. As it does, fluid may flow along flowdirection 854 via fluid line 852 to the main frame second rear actuator846. Fluid may enter the rod end of the actuator 846 and exit from thebase end. Fluid may continue to flow along flow direction 858 to themain frame second front actuator 848 via fluid line 856. Fluid may enterthe base end of the actuator 848 and exit from the rod end thereof. Asthe fluid exits the main frame second front actuator 848, it flows vialine 860 along flow direction 862 to the second frame rear actuator 850.The fluid may enter the rod end of the actuator 850 and exit from thebase end thereof. Hydraulic fluid exiting the second frame rear actuator850 may flow along direction 864 via the return line 838.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the actuators on each side are in serieswith one another with the outer wing or frame section having the masteractuator (e.g., the first frame front actuator 818 and the second framefront actuator 844). The return actuator may also be located on theoutermost wing or frame section (e.g., the first frame rear actuator 824and the second frame rear actuator 820).

In FIG. 8, the hydraulic control system 800 may also include acorrection valve (e.g., poppet valve) on each side. For example, a firstcorrection valve 866 and a second correction valve 870 may be providedon each side. A corresponding correction line may be fluidly coupledbetween the supply line 806 and the respective correction valve. Forexample, a first correction line 868 fluidly couples the supply line 806to the first correction valve 866, and a second correction line 872fluidly couples the supply line 806 to the second correction valve 870.

During operation, a correction in the fluid pressure in the hydraulicseries on each side may be needed. Occasionally, there may be some driftin the hydraulic flow due to line losses and cylinder leakage. Thus, toaccount for this drift, each correction valve is located approximatelymidway along the flow path between the supply line 806 and return line638 on each side. For instance, the first correction valve 866 is influid communication with the fluid line 830 between the main frame firstfront actuator 822 and the main frame first rear actuator 820, and thesecond correction valve 870 is in fluid communication with the fluidline 856 between the main frame second front actuator 848 and the mainframe second rear actuator 846. The respective correction valve may beoperably opened to allow fluid to exhaust from either fluid line throughthe valve and to the respective correction line. For example, when thefirst correction valve 866 is open, fluid may exhaust from fluid line830 into the first correction line 868 and exhaust in a flow direction874 back to the supply line 806. Similarly, when the second correctionvalve 870 is open, fluid may exhaust from fluid line 856 into the secondcorrection line 872 and exhaust in a flow direction 876 back to thesupply line 806. As a result, excess oil is exhausted from the hydraulicseries on either side of the implement 804 to adjust for any drift.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a control circuit or system 900 is depicted forcontrolling the gang angle of the various disc gang assemblies mountedto the main frame, first frame section and second frame section of FIG.8. In particular, a controller 902 may include a memory unit for storingcontrol logic for controlling the gang angle. Moreover, the controller902 may include a processing unit for executing the control logic. Thecontroller 902 may be capable of communicating over a wireless networkto another controller on the tractor 802 or implement 804.Alternatively, the controller 902 may be able to transmit to or receivecommunications from a remote location.

In this embodiment, a plurality of a position sensors may be disposed atdifferent locations on the implement 804. Each of the plurality ofsensors may be disposed in communication with the controller 902 andsend position signals and the like to the controller 902. In response tothese signals, the controller 902 may detect a position of the differentframe sections and synchronize the sections with one another. Theposition sensors in effect replace the gang linkage 148 and allow thecontroller 902 to automatically control the synchronization absent amechanical linkage.

As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of position sensors may include afirst position sensor 904, a second position sensor 906, a thirdposition sensor 908, and a fourth position sensor 910. The firstposition sensor 904 may be coupled to a cylinder rod 912 of the firstframe front actuator 818. The second position sensor 906 may be coupledto a cylinder rod 914 of the main frame first front actuator 822. Thethird position sensor 908 may be coupled to a cylinder rod 916 of thesecond frame front actuator 844, and the fourth position sensor 910 maybe coupled to a cylinder rod 918 of the main frame second front actuator848.

The controller 902 may be in communication with the first master controlvalve 816 and the second master control valve 842, as shown in FIG. 9.The controller 902 may operably actuate both control valvesindependently of one another in order to control the gang angle of thedisc gang assemblies on the implement 804. As the first master controlvalve 816 is actuated to an open position, hydraulic fluid is able toflow through the master control valve 816 and to the first frame frontactuator 818 via fluid line 920. Similarly, as the second master controlvalve 842 is actuated to an open position, hydraulic fluid is able toflow through the valve 842 and to the second frame front actuator 844via fluid line 922.

The controller 902 may also be in communication with the firstcorrection valve 866 and the second correction valve 870 in order toexhaust hydraulic fluid to correct for any drift in either seriescircuit. Here, when the first correction valve 866 is actuated to anopen position, hydraulic fluid may exhaust via exhaust line 924 throughthe first correction valve 866. Similarly, when the second correctionvalve 870 is actuated to an open position, hydraulic fluid may exhaustvia exhaust line 926 through the second correction valve 870.

As described above and shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of positionsensors may be coupled to each side of the implement 804 and communicateposition signals to the controller 902. In turn, the controller 902 isable to synchronize the left and right sides of the implement 804 basedon these position signals. The implement of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes onlythe main or center frame, a first wing frame and a second wing frame. Assuch, it is noted that position sensors are not located on each gangassembly, but only on approximately half of the gang assemblies. Inother embodiments, there may be additional position sensors located onthe other gang assemblies.

The controller 902 may include a control logic such as John Deere'sTruSet™ technology for determining when an adjustment to the implementis needed. During operation, the plurality of position sensors maydetect a position of the frame and communicate the position to thecontroller 902. If the implement is not synchronized properly accordingto the control logic, the fluid supply (e.g., on the tractor) mayprovide hydraulic fluid to the corresponding fluid line and thecontroller 902 may operably open the first or second master controlvalve to allow fluid flow to either side of the implement until theimplement halves are synchronized.

In one example, the master control valves may be normally-closed valves.The controller 902 may operably open either or both valves independentlyof each other. Thus, if fluid is provided to the first master controlvalve 816, the controller 902 may operably actuate the first mastercontrol valve 816 to an open position while maintaining the secondmaster control valve 842 in its normally closed position.

Other types of valves and conditions are possible. For example, it maybe possible to utilize a normally-open control valve. Other known valvesmay be used as well.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the position sensors are eachlocated on the front of the main or center frame, the first framesection and the second frame section. In FIG. 10, however, the positionsensors may be located in an alternating arrangement, i.e., some locatedon the front of the respective frame section and others located on therear thereof. This may be due to the additional two frame sections thatmake up a five section implement.

In FIG. 10, a control system 1000 for operably synchronizing the twohalves of the implement shown. The control system 1000 includes acontroller 1002 which may be located on a tractor (not shown) or theimplement. The controller 1002 may include control logic such as JohnDeere's TruSet™ technology for controlling the synchronization of theimplement. Alternatively, the controller 1002 may receive instructionsfrom another controller for controlling synchronization. In this latterexample, the other controller may be located on a tractor or remote fromthe controller 1002.

In any event, the implement may be divided into two halves where eachhalf is hydraulically parallel to one another with no mechanical tie,i.e., the mechanical gang timing link 148 is removed. As will bedescribed, the control system 1000 of FIG. 10 is able to sequence theleft and right sides of the implement via master control valves andposition sensors further detect a position and communicate the detectedposition to the controller 1002.

The implement illustrated in FIG. 10 may include a main or center frame1004, a first frame or inner wing section 1006, a second frame or innerwing section 1008, a third frame or outer wing section 1010, and afourth frame or outer wing section 1012. A plurality of disc gangassemblies (not shown) may be mounted to the different frame sections.To control gang angle of the respective gang assembly or synchronizationof the implement, the control system 1000 includes a plurality ofhydraulic actuators. For instance, the main frame 1004 may include amain frame first front actuator 1022, a main frame first rear actuator1024, a main frame second front actuator 1034, and a main frame secondrear actuator 1036. The first frame section 1006 may include a frontactuator 1018 and a rear actuator 1020. The second frame section 1008may include a front actuator 1030 and a rear actuator 1032. Similarly,the third frame section 1010 may include a front actuator 1814 and arear actuator 1816, and the fourth frame section 1012 may include afront actuator 1826 and a rear actuator 1828.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the plurality of actuators may be arrangedin a master-slave arrangement similar to that shown and described withrespect to FIG. 7 of the present disclosure. Thus, the manner in whichthe fluid flows through the series of actuators will not be repeatedhere, but reference is made to FIG. 7 and the description above.

Moreover, as noted above, each half of the implement is in parallelhydraulically with the other. For sake of clarity, one half of theimplement may include the main frame first front actuator 1022, the mainframe first rear actuator 1024, the first frame front actuator 1018, thefirst frame rear actuator 1020, the third frame front actuator 1014, andthe third frame rear actuator 1016. Each of these actuators are fluidlycoupled in series with one another and arranged in a master-slavearrangement with the third frame front actuator 1014 being the masteractuator. This comprises a first half of the implement.

The other half of the implement includes the main frame second frontactuator 1034, the main frame second rear actuator 1036, the secondframe front actuator 1030, the second frame rear actuator 1032, thefourth frame front actuator 1026, and the fourth frame rear actuator1028. Each of these actuators are fluidly coupled in series with oneanother and arranged in a master-slave arrangement with the fourth framefront actuator 1026 being the master actuator. This comprises a secondhalf of the implement. The first half and second half of the implementare fluidly coupled to a supply with each half being hydraulicallyparallel to each other.

Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the control system 1000 ofFIG. 10 may also include a first master control valve 1046 and a secondmaster control valve 1048. Similar to the previous embodiment, thecontroller 1002 operably actuates the control valves to an open positionto allow hydraulic fluid to flow from a supply line to a master actuatorin the corresponding series. For example, the controller 1002 mayactuate the first master control valve 1046 to an open position therebyallowing fluid to flow through the first master control valve 1046 andto the fourth frame front actuator 1014 via flow path 1050. Likewise,the controller 1002 may actuate the second master control valve 1048 toan open position thereby allowing fluid to flow through the secondmaster control valve 1048 and to the fifth frame front actuator 1026 viaflow path 1052. In this embodiment, the first and second master controlvalves may be normally closed. In another embodiment, the control valvesmay be normally open.

Moreover, a plurality of position sensors may be coupled to thedifferent frame sections for detecting a position of the respectiveframe section and communicating the position to the controller 1002. Asshown, a first position sensor 1038 may be coupled to a rod end of thefront actuator 1014 of the fourth frame section 1010 and a secondposition sensor 1040 may be coupled to a rod end of the main frame firstrear actuator 1024. Each position sensor is electrically coupled to thecontroller 1002.

Further, a third position sensor 1042 may be coupled to a rod end of thefront actuator 1026 of the fifth frame section 1012, and a fourthposition sensor 1044 may be coupled to a rod end of the main framesecond rear actuator 1036. These position sensors are also in electricalcommunication with the controller 1002. In one embodiment, the positionssensors may be a rotary potentiometer that measures a gang angle orposition of the frame section via a four-bar linkage (not shown).

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the control system 1000 may also include afirst correction valve 1054 and a second correction valve 1056 tocorrect for any drift. Both correction valves may be disposed inelectrical communication with the controller 1002. The first correctionvalve 1054 may be fluidly coupled between the main frame first frontactuator 1022 and the main frame first rear actuator 1024, and thesecond correction valve 1056 may be fluidly coupled between the mainframe second front actuator 1034 and the main frame second rear actuator1036.

When the controller 1002 actuates the first correction valve 1054 to anopen position, hydraulic fluid that normally flows from the main framefirst front actuator 1022 to the main frame first rear actuator 1024 mayinstead exhaust or bleed through the first correction valve 1054 viaexhaust line 1058 and return to the supply line (not shown). Similarly,when the controller 1002 actuates the second correction valve 1056 to anopen position, hydraulic fluid that normally flows from the main framesecond front actuator 1034 to the main frame second rear actuator 1036may instead exhaust or bleed through the second correction valve 1056via exhaust line 1060 and return to the supply line.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, each master actuator is located on theoutermost wing of the implement and each correction valve is located onthe main frame. This is similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9where both master control valves are located on the outer wing framesand the correction valves are located on the main frame. However, inFIGS. 8 and 9, the master control valves and correction valves arefluidly coupled to actuators on the front of the respective framesection, whereas in FIG. 10 the master control valves 1046, 1048 arefluidly coupled to front actuators on the outer wing sections but thecorrection valves are fluidly coupled to both rear actuators on the mainframe 1004.

While embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosurehave been described hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limitedto the described embodiments. Instead, this application is intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. An agricultural implement, comprising: a transversely extending frameforming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and athird frame section, where the first frame section is disposed betweenthe second and third frame sections; a pair of elongated, generallyend-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, an elongated gangassembly on the second frame section, and an elongated gang assembly onthe third frame section, each of the gang assemblies including aplurality of rotatable tillage tools mounted in such a manner that theiraxes of rotation extend substantially transverse to a path of travel ofthe respective frame; each of the gang assemblies being horizontallyadjustable relative to their respective frame for adjusting the anglesbetween the path of travel of the frame and the axes of rotation of thetools; an actuator for each gang assembly for operably controlling theangular adjustment of the gang assemblies; and a controller disposed inelectrical communication with the actuators; wherein, the actuator onthe second frame section comprises a master actuator for one of theactuators on the first frame section, and the actuator on the thirdframe section comprises a master actuator for the other actuator on thefirst frame section.
 2. The implement of claim 1, wherein each of theactuators is controlled independently of the other actuators.
 3. Theimplement of claim 1, wherein each actuator comprises a linear electricactuator.
 4. The implement of claim 1, further comprising an electricpower source electrically coupled to each actuator for supplyingelectrical power thereto.
 5. The implement of claim 4, furthercomprising an alternator disposed in electrical communication with theelectric power source.
 6. An agricultural implement, comprising: atransversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, asecond frame section, and a third frame section, where the first framesection is disposed between the second and third frame sections; aplurality of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies on thefirst frame section, the second frame section, and the third framesection, each of the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatabletillage tools mounted in such a manner that their axes of rotationextend substantially transverse to a travel direction of the implement;a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled to the first, second andthird frame sections, where each hydraulic actuator is configured tooperably control the angular adjustment of one of the plurality of gangassemblies relative to the respective frame section; a fluid source forsupplying hydraulic fluid to the plurality of hydraulic actuators; acontroller; a first master control valve and a second master controlvalve, the first and second master control valves being fluidly coupledto the fluid source and the plurality of actuators; and a plurality ofsensors coupled to the first, second and third frame sections, theplurality of sensors disposed in electrical communication with thecontroller.
 7. The implement of claim 6, wherein a hydraulic actuator onthe second frame section comprises a master hydraulic actuator for oneof the hydraulic actuators on the first frame section, and a hydraulicactuator on the third frame section comprises a master hydraulicactuator for a different hydraulic actuator on the first frame section.8. The implement of claim 6, wherein: the hydraulic actuator on thesecond frame section is fluidly coupled to the fluid source when thefirst master control valve is disposed in an open position; thehydraulic actuator on the third frame section is fluidly coupled to thefluid source when the second master control valve is disposed in an openposition.
 9. The implement of claim 8, wherein the first master controlvalve is operably controlled by the controller independently of thesecond master control valve.
 10. The implement of claim 6, wherein: afirst sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to a first actuatoron the first frame section; a second sensor of the plurality of sensorsis coupled to a second actuator on the first frame section; a thirdsensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to an actuator on thesecond frame section; and a fourth sensor of the plurality of sensors iscoupled an actuator on the third frame section.
 11. The implement ofclaim 6, wherein: the fluid source, the first master control valve, afirst actuator on the first frame section, and an actuator on the secondframe section are fluidly coupled in series to form a first hydrauliccircuit; the fluid source, the second master control valve, a secondactuator on the first frame section, and an actuator on the third framesection are fluidly coupled in series to form a second hydrauliccircuit; further wherein, the first hydraulic circuit and the secondhydraulic circuit are hydraulically parallel to one another.
 12. Theimplement of claim 6, wherein: the plurality of gang assembliescomprises a first gang assembly and a second gang assembly coupled tothe first frame section; the plurality of sensors are configured todetect a position of the first, second, and third frame sections andcommunicate a position signal to the controller based on the position ofeach frame section; further wherein, the first master control valve orthe second master control valve is operably controlled to its openposition by the controller until the first gang assembly and the secondgang assembly are angularly adjusted to have approximately the same gangangle relative to the travel direction of the implement.
 13. Theimplement of claim 6, wherein: each actuator comprises a cylinder and arod, the rod moving between a retracted position and an extendedposition within the cylinder; each of the plurality of sensors beingcoupled to the rod of a corresponding one of the plurality of actuators.14. The implement of claim 6, further comprising: a first correctionvalve fluidly coupled between the fluid source and a first actuator onthe first frame section, the first actuator being fluidly coupled inseries with an actuator on the second frame section; and a secondcorrection valve fluidly coupled between the fluid source and a secondactuator on the second frame section, the second actuator being fluidlycoupled in series with an actuator on the third frame section; wherein,the controller is in electrical communication with the first and secondcorrection valves.
 15. The implement of claim 14, wherein: thecontroller operably actuates the first correction valve to an openposition to exhaust hydraulic fluid flowing between the first actuatorand the actuator on the second frame section; the controller operablyactuates the second correction valve to an open position to exhausthydraulic fluid flowing between the second actuator and the actuator onthe third frame section.
 16. The implement of claim 6, wherein: theplurality of gang assemblies comprises a front pair of elongated,generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a rearpair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the firstframe section, a front elongated gang assembly on the second framesection, a rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, afront elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, and a rearelongated gang assembly on the third frame section; the plurality ofactuators comprises a first actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof the rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, asecond actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the frontelongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a third actuatorfor controlling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gang assemblyon the third frame section, a fourth actuator for controlling angularadjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the third framesection, a fifth actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a firstfront gang assembly of the pair of front elongated gang assemblies onthe first frame section, a sixth actuator for controlling angularadjustment of a second front gang assembly of the pair of frontelongated gang assemblies on the first frame section, a seventh actuatorfor controlling angular adjustment of a first rear gang assembly of thepair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section, andan eighth actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a second reargang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the firstframe section; further wherein, the plurality of sensors are coupled tothe second actuator, the fourth actuator, the fifth actuator, and thesixth actuator.
 17. The implement of claim 16, wherein: the first mastercontrol valve is fluidly coupled between the fluid source and the secondactuator; and the second master control valve is fluidly coupled betweenthe fluid source and the fourth actuator.
 18. An agricultural implement,comprising: a transversely extending frame forming at least a firstframe section, a second frame section, a third frame section, a fourthframe section, and a fifth frame section, where the first frame sectionis disposed between the second and third frame sections, the secondframe section is disposed between the first and fourth frame sections,and the third frame section is disposed between the first and fifthframe sections; a plurality of elongated, generally end-to-end gangassemblies on the first frame section, the second frame section, thethird frame section, the fourth frame section, and the fifth framesection, each of the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatabletillage tools mounted in such a manner that their axes of rotationextend substantially transverse to a travel direction of the implement;a plurality of hydraulic actuators coupled to the first, second, third,fourth, and fifth frame sections for operably controlling the angularadjustment of the plurality of gang assemblies; a fluid source forsupplying hydraulic fluid to the plurality of hydraulic actuators; acontroller; a first master control valve and a second master controlvalve, the first and second master control valves being fluidly coupledto the fluid source and the plurality of actuators; and a plurality ofsensors coupled to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth framesections, the plurality of sensors disposed in electrical communicationwith the controller.
 19. The implement of claim 18, wherein: theplurality of hydraulic actuators comprises a first hydraulic actuatorfor controlling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gang assemblyon the second frame section, a second hydraulic actuator for controllingangular adjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the secondframe section, a third hydraulic actuator for controlling angularadjustment of the rear elongated gang assembly on the third framesection, a fourth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof the front elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, a fifthhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a first frontgang assembly of the pair of front elongated gang assemblies on thefirst frame section, a sixth hydraulic actuator for controlling angularadjustment of a second front gang assembly of the pair of frontelongated gang assemblies on the first frame section, a seventhhydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a first reargang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the firstframe section, an eighth hydraulic actuator for controlling angularadjustment of a second rear gang assembly of the pair of rear elongatedgang assemblies on the first frame section, a ninth hydraulic actuatorfor controlling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gang assemblyon the fourth frame section, a tenth hydraulic actuator for controllingangular adjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the fourthframe section, an eleventh hydraulic actuator for controlling angularadjustment of the rear elongated gang assembly on the fifth framesection, a twelfth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustmentof the front elongated gang assembly on the fifth frame section; thefirst master control valve being fluidly coupled between the fluidsource and the tenth hydraulic actuator, and the second master controlvalve being fluidly coupled between the fluid source and the twelfthhydraulic actuator;
 20. The implement of claim 19, wherein: theplurality of sensors comprises a first sensor coupled to the tenthhydraulic actuator, a second sensor coupled to the twelfth hydraulicactuator, a third sensor coupled to the seventh hydraulic actuator, anda fourth sensor coupled to the eighth hydraulic actuator; the pluralityof sensors are configured to detect a position of the first, second,third, fourth, and fifth frame sections and communicate a positionsignal to the controller based on the position of each frame section;further wherein, the first master control valve or the second mastercontrol valve is operably controlled to its open position by thecontroller until the first rear gang assembly and the second rear gangassembly of the first frame section are angularly adjusted to haveapproximately the same gang angle relative to the travel direction ofthe implement.